A ticket sold in Newnan, Georgia has made Mega Millions history after winning the $980 million jackpot on Friday—marking the largest lottery prize ever awarded in the state and the eighth biggest in the game’s history. The winning ticket, purchased at a Publix supermarket southwest of Atlanta, matched all six numbers (1, 8, 11, 12, 57 and Mega Ball 7), overcoming odds of 1 in nearly 291 million.
Record-Breaking Georgia Win
This draw’s outcome shattered the previous Georgia lottery record and capped off the longest jackpot run Mega Millions has ever seen—40 drawings since the last jackpot was hit in June 2025. Lottery officials said the cash value for the winning ticket is estimated at over $452 million. The winner’s identity has yet to be revealed, but state lottery officials celebrated both the economic boost for public education and the $50,000 retailer bonus earned by the Publix store that sold the winning ticket.
Economic and Community Impact
Georgia Lottery President Gretchen Corbin emphasized the positive impact for Georgia’s HOPE and Pre-K programs, stating, “With every Mega Millions ticket sold in Georgia supporting HOPE and Pre-K, Georgia’s students and families are also big winners.” Since the lottery’s creation, more than $29 billion has been raised for state educational initiatives, and this historic win will further bolster those funds.
What’s Next for Mega Millions
With this record-setting win, the Mega Millions jackpot will reset, but interest remains high after one of the game’s most active and lucrative years. As Georgia celebrates its lucky winner, lottery players across the U.S. are already looking ahead to the next big drawing, hoping for a shot at their own life-changing moment.